What we know about Korean cosmetics is only the tip of the iceberg. Their succesful history goes back many centuries and reads like a fairy tale.
Once upon a time, so long ago that the extact date is long forgotten, cosmetics were part of the daily routine of various tribes and cultures around the world. Some used them to increace their beauty, while others appleid them as symbolic protection from various threats.
For traditional Korean society, cosmetics have always had a deeper meaning. Koreans traditionally believed that physical appearance reflected the interior person. For this reason, Korean men and women have alwyas sought to present themselfs at their best and have thus created a unique culture. Remenber this anecote when someone tells you that your interest in cosmetics is skin deep!
The history of make-up and cosmetics in Korea began during the Three kings era, which lasted more than 700 years (57v.Chr-668Ch). Cosmetics products certainly existed at this time, and were stored in magnificent containers made principally from clay. The high point for cosmetics was reached during the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392), when people began to take even greater interest in personal care and physical appearance. Moreover, Korea was opening up to foreign trade, which allowed new ingredients and techniques to be introduced to the country.
After the fall of Goryeo, the Josean dynasty was established. During this period (1392-1897), and in accordance with the values of Confucianism, were balance and harmony were key, the use of strident make-up was restricted. Abundance and extremes were disdained in favour of more natural make-up. However, no such restritions applied to the containers for cosmetics and accessoiries: beautifully crafted little blue and white porcelain boxes were personal grooming items.
Let's make a small detour to the world of today. What do you consider when you're putting on make-up? You probably have a model or a vlogger you base your routine on, right? Well, it was just the same thing during the Joseon dynasty. Elite ladies would adapt trends established by gisaeng, women artists who dedicated themselves to entertaining the kings.
Nonetheless, cosmetics didn't really come into fashion for a wider audience until the 19th century, when they began to distributed and purchased on a large scale. New styles and products were developed, many of them inspired by Western culture.
Can you guess the firstmass-produced cosmetic to be used in Korea? No, it wasn't a cream or face mask, but rather Bakgabun (Park's powder), a sort of translucent face powder created in 1915 that was a bestseller for years. There's no point in looking for it now because it's been withdrawn from the market due to its high lead content. However, alternatives with better ingredients soon came onto the market. You wouldn't expect any less from the Koreans, would you?
From the 1920s right through to the 1950s there wasnt't much innovation in Korean cosmetics because Japanese products dominated the market. Actually, it's complicated to speak aabout this period as Japanese occupation and the Second World War dominated Korea. One positive development during that time was the founding of AmorePacific, a beauty conglomerate that has since become one of the best known cosmetic firms in the world.
So now did Korean cosmetics become an international phenomenon? The hype about K-beauty has arrived in the West only very recenty, in the last decade or so, and it all began with the BB cream. Can you remenber life without this miraculous product?
In fact, BB cream is a German invention, but it became extremely popular in Korea, and various cosmetics brands perfected the formula for the national market. The Korean formulation began to sold in the United States in 2011, and arrived in Spain a few months later. This product was the first wave of the tsunami of Korean cosmetics in the Western world. Suddenly women had acces to the'affordable luxury' of single-use face masks, containers with fun Asian aesthestics and innvative ingredients such as snail slime extract andd bee venom. How could anyone resist?
In the years following the BB cream revolution, online shops began a flourishing trade in the selected K-beauty products. Although we loved the hand cream in apple-shaped containers, the colorful masks and the facial mists in the shape of bunny rabbits, we were truly convinced by the results of these products. Behind the adorable packaging , there is a wealrh of effective and original natural ingrediets - everything from banboo carbon powder and donkey milk to bird's nest and algae - almost any ingredient you could inmagine! Obviously, Korean cosmetics are here to stay. Anyone who tries the 10-step Korean skincare routine will immediately fall in love with it. Learning to respect, love and carefor your skin is the essence of K-beauty!
